繁體中文
工作實況：竹棚同金屬棚嘅手藝
搭棚係一門靠經驗同手感嘅手藝。搭竹棚時，師傅要因應樓宇外形同用途揀竹、開料、綁紮，並計算連牆器間距同斜撐角度，確保棚架穩固；搭金屬棚則要熟悉門架、鋼管同鎖扣嘅組合，按安全標準裝設平台、護欄同踢腳板。無論竹棚定金屬棚，都要按需要加設安全網同工作平台，並喺使用前由合資格人員檢查。拆棚要小心控制物料降落，避免傷及途人同車輛。呢行既要體力，亦要空間感同判斷力。
關卡：工藝測試同指定工種註冊
香港對棚架工並無單一發牌制度，但入行有兩重實質關卡。第一，建造業議會嘅搭棚工程工藝測試設有竹棚工同金屬棚架工嘅中級工藝測試，考核實際搭設技能同安全知識，係行業公認嘅技術憑證。第二，《建造業工人註冊條例》下嘅指定工種制度要求工人註冊為相關工種嘅熟練或半熟練技工，先可以在指定工序施工。勞工處《竹棚架安全工作守則》進一步界定合資格人員同受訓工人嘅要求，受訓工人可憑工藝測試加一年經驗達標。想做師傅或獨當一面，仲要累積多年現場經驗同認識安全法規。
行業實況同出路
竹棚係香港獨特嘅建築工藝，雖然金屬棚應用日廣，但竹棚喺舊樓維修、狹窄街道同傳統搭建上仍有需求。行業長期面對老化同人手不足，近年透過建造業輸入勞工計劃補充技術工人，反映本地供應緊張。出路方面，可由學徒做到中工（半熟練）、大工（熟練），再升為師傅、小組長或搭棚主管，亦可自行承接工程。想入行嘅人，可先讀建造業議會或職業訓練局嘅搭棚課程，考取工藝測試，再累積地盤經驗。
English
The job: the craft of bamboo and metal scaffolding
Scaffolding is a craft built on experience and feel. For bamboo, masters select and cut poles and tie them according to the building's shape and use, calculating tie-back spacing and bracing angles to keep the structure stable; for metal, they must know how to combine frames, tubes and couplers, fitting platforms, guard rails and toe boards to standard. Both types require safety nets and working platforms where needed, and inspection by a competent person before use. Dismantling demands careful control of falling materials to protect pedestrians and vehicles. The work needs strength as well as spatial judgement.
The gate: trade tests and designated-trade registration
Hong Kong has no single licensing scheme for scaffolders, but there are two real gates. First, the Construction Industry Council's scaffolding trade tests include intermediate tests for bamboo scaffolder and metal scaffolder, assessing practical erection skill and safety knowledge, and are the industry's recognised credential. Second, the designated-trade regime under the Construction Workers Registration Ordinance requires workers to register as skilled or semi-skilled workers of the relevant trade before performing designated operations. The Labour Department's Code of Practice for Bamboo Scaffolding Safety further defines competent persons and trained workmen, the latter meeting the bar through the trade test plus one year of experience. To become a master or work independently, years of site experience and knowledge of safety law are also needed.
Industry reality and pathways
Bamboo scaffolding is a distinctive Hong Kong craft. Although metal scaffolding is increasingly used, bamboo is still needed for old-building repairs, narrow streets and traditional erection. The trade faces long-term ageing and manpower shortages, and the construction-sector labour importation scheme has been used to supplement skilled workers, reflecting tight local supply. On pathways, a worker can progress from apprentice to semi-skilled worker, then skilled worker, and on to master, small-team leader or scaffolding supervisor, or run their own contracts. Newcomers can start with Construction Industry Council or Vocational Training Council scaffolding courses, sit the trade test and build site experience.
